A period is a natural part of a woman’s life. Menstruation is essential, yet often overlooked in society. Open discussions about it are either stifled or deemed unimportant. This leads to a lack of consideration and awareness, which not only affects society psychologically and hinders transparency and inclusive policies, but also affects personal lives where there is a lack of open communication. To understand the level of awareness about menstrual health on our campus, we created a survey and noticed some interesting trends.
The survey reveals significant gaps in menstrual knowledge and the diverse sources from which individuals learn about it. While many who menstruate believe they understand the process, gaps remain. Over half credited their education to school, particularly the 10th-grade curriculum, though a staggering 11% never received any formal instruction.
Among male students, most claim only a basic understanding of menstruation, with many admitting they are uninformed. When female friends express discomfort, men often provide emotional support, typically with comfort foods like chocolate. For men, education on this topic mainly comes from school or family, though some rely on friends and online sources. These findings underscore the need for better education and open discussion about menstruation at home and in society.
Our survey also reveals that individuals are more comfortable discussing menstruation with friends than within their own homes; 40% of our responders compared to 20%. Generally, this reluctance to engage in open conversations about periods at home is due to cultural taboos, outdated beliefs, and a fear of judgement from close family members. The stigma surrounding menstruation often leads families to avoid these discussions, considering the topic to be too private or embarrassing. In contrast, individuals find solace in talking with friends who share similar experiences, creating a supportive environment that is often lacking at home.
For those who have purchased menstrual products, the taboo surrounding menstruation does not allow them to clarify their doubts. Many face confusion when selecting products, compounded by the lack of open dialogue and guidance in their households. This discomfort highlights the broader need for breaking down cultural barriers and fostering more transparent discussions about menstruation at home and in society.
During periods, mothers were the primary source of comfort and information. Surprisingly, the internet was a close runner up. However, this reliance on the internet raises significant concerns about the reliability of the information being consumed and the privacy of those seeking it. In the internet era, tackling misleading advertisements and imprudent health claims becomes tricky. This extent of dependence is particularly troubling when it comes to something as personal and important as menstrual health.
A significant chunk of people (45%) soldiered through the pain and rarely missed any classes. But a quarter of them did miss out very frequently. This highlights an often-overlooked issue: the need for institutional support, such as medical leaves, specifically for menstruation-related discomfort. The fact that nearly half of the people pushed through the pain without missing classes underscores a societal expectation to endure, even when one's physical condition might warrant rest. However, the quarter of individuals who frequently miss classes due to severe symptoms indicates that for some, the pain and other associated issues are not just a minor inconvenience but a legitimate health concern that can disrupt daily life. This raises important questions about whether academic and professional environments should offer more flexibility in the form of medical leaves or accommodations for menstruation. Providing such support could help destigmatize period-related discomfort and recognize it as a valid reason for needing time off, just like any other health condition.
For most of the responders, heating pads helped around 70%, OTC medicines(for 41%) and exercising (40%)(surprisingly) came to the rescue. With affirmations from 100% of the people, pads were the most convenient and most readily available products on campus. It is troubling that 90% of people were unaware of or unable to use the pad dispensing machines installed in restrooms, either due to a malfunction in the devices or the inability to access them with the right coins. This suggests a fundamental disconnect between the provision of these services and the actual needs of the student population.
Furthermore, we found that menstrual health services, such as gynaecological care and counselling, were severely lacking. The lack of such basic facilities and services for a campus of this size, despite the administration likely receiving sufficient funds, is concerning. This puts the well-being and academic success of a significant portion of the student population at risk. Menstrual health is a crucial aspect of overall student health and wellness, and the administration's failure to provide adequate resources is a glaring oversight that needs immediate attention.
Our findings indicate a strong demand for increased accessibility to menstrual products, such as the installation of more pad dispensers across campus, with a call for these dispensers to use more convenient mechanisms such as UPI to eliminate the need for coins and make them more inclusive and accessible. Students have also expressed the need for menstrual health to be considered in more serious light, such as better accessibility of gynaecological services and necessary medications, incorporation of menstrual health education into the college curriculum to break taboos and develop understanding, and better hygienic washrooms. Supportive measures like attendance leniency and consideration during menstruation are also among the key requests.
On a positive note, Enactus initiated Project ‘Titli’ in 2018 aimed to improve menstrual health among underprivileged Indian women by providing affordable, biodegradable sanitary pads manufactured within target communities. NSS has also conducted sessions aimed at spreading menstrual awareness. Endeavours like these point to the rising level of menstrual awareness, help and hygiene in the campus and serve to create a more supportive environment for women.
Written by: Anushka Gupta, Atiksh Agarwal, Samyak Sanghvi
Design by: Himesh Rustagi, Nishka Muraka, Tejas Tyagi
Edited by: Aahna Jain
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